I have recently purchased a '90 190 E 2.6 from a family member; the car is in excellent condition overall, with only 80,000 miles, but I have some concerns and questions re: the automatic transmission.

First, I have read several posts on this and other forums about modifying pre - '91 cars to start off in first gear. After driving a '92 model and experiencing much improved acceleration, I decided this is definitely a "mod" I'd like to make, but I don't really wish to spend $1300 or more on a new valve body, especially if replacing a spring (behind one of the pistons in the valve body) is all that needs to be done. Since the car will be in the shop for transmission service (fluid flush/filter replacement/ adjustment/ repair ?), it wouldn't take much more effort to make the change. I just want to be sure that I ask my mechanic to remove the right spring (or replace with a lighter one) ! Please let me know the details of this operation...

Also, I have noticed the "delayed upshift" feature when the engine is cold; before I read the manual, I thought the trans was failing... Under minimal throttle, even at subzero temperatures, the unit holds 2nd gear to nearly 4000 RPM, and then "kicks like a donkey" into 3rd. The local Mercedes dealer assured me this condition is "normal," and since it seems it's emissions related (a clever strategy to heat up the catalyst), I could probably live with it. It would be nice (esp. for that ice cold engine!) to lower that shift point a bit, though, and if the tranny started in first, it would upshift quicker, at a lower ground speed, and wouldn't give the impression that it was stuck in second gear...

One more oddity -- while accelerating quickly (say 1/2 to 3/4 throttle) away from an intersection, usually in hot weather, the car would downshift from 2nd to 1st, sloppily, in the middle of the intersection, hold first for a couple seconds, then shift back to 2nd. Unfortunately this is the situation where a single, abrupt shift would be appropriate, and would certainly help acceleration. Is this normal, too ?

Since the car will be in for service soon, it's a good time to address all of these things. And I have budgeted for the worst case, but hopefully I can get away with adjustments rather than overhaul! Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.